IATA set to undertake largest ever training project and will partner with a Turkish university to train more than 10,000 employees for Istanbul’s new airport.

The program will see IATA work in partnership with Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU), in Gaziantep. It will be the largest training project IATA has ever undertaken.

Scheduled to open in 2018, Istanbul New Airport is forecast to be one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of up to 200 million annual passengers once it reaches full operational capability.

Turkey’s vision and commitment to world-class air transport is clear to see
Turkish Civil Aviation regulations stipulate that all employees of the airport must complete specific training before the airport is granted its operating certificate.

This means around 10,000 employees must be trained in 2017 and 2018. As further phases of the airport are opened up to 2023, the total number of employees requiring training could be as high as 100,000.

Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s European Regional Vice President, said: “Turkey’s vision and commitment to world-class air transport is clear to see, and we hope this agreement marks just the start of a long and fruitful partnership.

“We are determined to exceed Istanbul New Airport’s expectations for its capable and industrious employees.”

HKU Rector Professor Dr. Tamer Yilmaz added: "It is our honor to partner with IATA to carry out this training project aimed at raising qualified personnel for Istanbul's third airport.

“I hope that this protocol between Hasan Kalyoncu University and IATA will be beneficial and productive."